Design Resources and Publications

Designing New York

In collaboration with partner agencies and organizations, the Public Design Commission has developed the Designing New York series, which provides guiding principles and recommendations for the quality design of public spaces.

Designing New York: Quality Affordable Housing

Coming soon:

Designing New York: Safer Streets for People

Designing New York: Prefabrication in the Public Realm

Please participate in our Digital Signage Survey!

Data

PDC Annual Reports

NYC Open Data Portal

Interagency Resources

Active Design

Active Design Guidelines

Active Design: Shaping the Sidewalk Experience

Affordable Housing

Designing New York: Quality Affordable Housing

NYC Interagency Affordable Housing Review Process

Art

NYC Cultural Affairs Percent for Art Program

NYC Cultural Affairs Public Art Resources

She Built NYC

Bird-Friendly Buildings

American Bird Conservancy - Resources for Architects, Planners, and Developers

Bird-Friendly Building Design

Bird-Safe Building Guidelines

New York City Audubon

Climate Resiliency and Sustainability

Design and Planning for Flood Resiliency: Guidelines for NYC Parks

NYC Mayor's Office of Recovery and Resiliency - Climate Resiliency Design Guidelines

Planning for Climate Resiliency

Retrofitting Buildings for Flood Risk

Sustainable New York

UN Sustainable Development Goals

Waterfront Revitalization Program Coastal Zone Boundary Map

Zoning for Coastal Flood Resiliency

Design and Construction Excellence

What is good design?

Good design is good process.
Good design seeks solutions that are dignified, accessible and community-oriented; it strives to make all New Yorkers feel welcome and valued.
Good design thoughtfully responds to context and site conditions.
Good design achieves a creative balance between functional and programmatic requirements, operational and maintenance practices, and performance and innovation.
Good design is sustainable, resilient, durable, and easily maintained.
Good design considers solutions to long-term and emergent risks and opportunities, such as changing climate and public safety conditions, as well as new technologies and ways of living and working.
Good design requires a conscientious attention to schedule, budget, and operational costs to ensure that public funds are well spent, and communities well served.
Good design employs best practices, innovative methodologies, and appropriate technologies.
Good design is guided by a civic consciousness and social responsibility to provide spaces that promote discourse, exemplify accessible government, and inspire pride in our communities.
Good design is collaborative and inclusive of all stakeholders, including sponsor and partner agencies, consultants and contractors, and the community.